In the past if wheels did not line up right in the NMRA gauge I would just push or pull on them while twisting to get them into the correct position. This isn't a very accurate process so I started looking for a tool to make it easier to get the right position.
I found this wheel puller at Micro-Mark.
https://www.micromark.com/Miniature-Gear-Puller
It is obvious that it will work to pull the wheel off, but I can't tell if the spread is enough to pull it back on. Is there a better tool?
Rick
Hi Rick.
The finger twist,push, and pull really is the best and fastest way. It's not so much the gauge that's important but centering the wheels on the axle.
Pete.
hbgatsf In the past if wheels did not line up right in the NMRA gauge I would just push or pull on them while twisting to get them into the correct position. This isn't a very accurate process so I started looking for a tool to make it easier to get the right position. I found this wheel puller at Micro-Mark. https://www.micromark.com/Miniature-Gear-Puller It is obvious that it will work to pull the wheel off, but I can't tell if the spread is enough to pull it back on. Is there a better tool?
You need to get an NMRA guage. It will tell you exactly when to stop adjusting the width.
Joe
josephbw You need to get an NMRA guage. It will tell you exactly when to stop adjusting the width. Joe
See first post.
hbgatsf In the past if wheels did not line up right in the NMRA gauge
In the past if wheels did not line up right in the NMRA gauge
hbgatsf — but I can't tell if the spread is enough to pull it back on. Is there a better tool?
For "pressing" wheels back on to axles I like to use my Panavise. The jaws are nylon and parallel. There is a small recess where the jaw screws are that provide enough clearance for the axle ends to protude into. This gives me some control over the pressing operation. In the case of the Life-Like gear as shown, I will slip a small spacer between the gear and wheel back to help keep the axle/gear centered.
Proto_gear by Edmund, on Flickr
On the gimbal-mounted Panavise you could orient the jaws so the axle is vertical but if only pressing a few pieces it is just as easy to use it as shown.
Good Luck, Ed
Great idea, Ed. Thanks.
That's an interesting looking tool but in all the years I've been checking wheel gauge with the NMRA tool, I've never come across even one wheelset that was out of gauge. I can't swear that none of my rolling stock has out of gauge wheels but its not something I ever bother to check unless a piece of equipment is having derailing problems. Maybe there was a time in this hobby when that was a common problem but I've never come across it. When I put a new piece of equipment on the layout whether RTR or kit built, if it doesn't have metal wheels, it will get them, either Walthers or Kadee. I've never bothered to check the plastic wheelsets that I remove so maybe those are more prone to being out of gauge.